CNN’s Indra vs. FNC’s Maria: Weathergal Catfight?

Rowrrr! Yesterday, Early Start co-anchor John Berman introduced blonde beauty Indra Petersons as “our brand new CNN meteorologist and the newest addition to our team here in the morning.”* The Latvian lovely stands in stark contrast to Cosmo’s caliente Nicaraguan nymph Maria Molina, the brunette beauty who just snared her own early morn Monday-through-Friday gig on FNC.

According to IndraPetersons.com, Indra is of Latvian heritage, speaks the language fluently, and has learned her country’s “native folk songs and dances” (including the polka). Furthermore, she is said to be a Los Angeles native who started her career in El Paso at KVIA as a weathergal; moved on to Santa Barbara at KEYT as a meteorologist; and then went to Los Angeles’ ABC7 in 2004 as not only the weatherwoman but also as a “general assignment reporter” before replacing Rob Marciano as CNN’s premier meteorologist.  As far as her hobbies are concerned, the hottie is a travel enthusiast who chronicles here travels on her Facebook page.

Whether one agrees with global warming or not, the weather just got a lot hotter with the new girl in town! And, the mornings may dawn just a little sweeter with the potential pillow fights in the offing between CNN’s new  long-tressed towhead and her FNC brown-maned rival. CNN’s Indra vs. FNC’s Maria: a cable dream pay-per-view!

*Early Start – 05/20/13 (@ 6:05 a.m. ET)

Zoraida’s Decision: Feminine Sexuality But Family First

Double mastectomy: “Very emotional for me…as a woman, your sexuality and your breasts and how attached you are to that.” Early Start co-host Zoraida Sambolin shared her very personal new struggle with breast cancer with her CNN a.m. fans, her Twitter followers, and her Facebook friends Tuesday. Breaking the news to her EP viewers (after a report on Angelina Jolie’s NYT announcement that she had undergone a double mastectomy), Zoraida remarked, “You know, I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and…the fact that she [Jolie] is sharing this very personal journey, talking about the femininity as well and how that affects your decision moving forward, is absolutely remarkable.”* To her Tweeps and to her FB friends, she elaborated, “I struggled for weeks trying to figure out how [to] tell you that I had been diagnosed with breast cancer and was leaving to have surgery then..Angelina Jolie shares her story of a double mastectomy and gives me strength and an opening.”

Later in the morning, on Starting Point, Zoraida disclosed even more of the intimate details of her painful decision.** During a story on Jolie’s double mastectomy, Zoraida was brought in to tell her own story by SP interim co-hosts John Berman and Christine Romans. Pointing to John, Zoraida said, “You know for a while I’ve been struggling ’cause I was diagnosed with breast cancer about three weeks ago. And, I was trying to figure out how do I…tell the viewers that I’m going to be gone for awhile because I have chosen to have a double mastectomy. And, so, Angelina Jolie’s story really hit home.”

Offering Zoraida an opportunity to open up, John remarked, “She [Jolie] says [that] it’s an empowering decision, in a way.” Seizing her moment, Zoraida replied, “It is because you can, you can make that decision as a woman. Um, one of the things that she talks about that is very emotional for me because, you know, as a woman, your sexuality and your breasts and how attached you are to that. Right? As, as a woman!” In true maternal self-abnegation, she continued, “And, so, at the end of the day, it’s really difficult to say that I’m thinking about this…when I have two kids that…I want to live for. And that at the end of the day, I’m going…to cut off my arms if it means that I am going to live to see them and to see them grow up.”

Zoraida, kudos for courageously sharing your story with your fans–and, more importantly, putting your family first!

[Author's aside: During her SP interview, supra, Zoraida disclosed that she made her first call after her diagnosis to her fiance (Kenny Williams) , "who has been nothing but an amazing supporter through all of this." Furthermore, she revealed that she was going to have her surgery on the 28th. EP - 05/14/13 (@6:03 a.m. ET)]

*Early Start – 05/14/13 (@ 5:33 a.m. ET)

**Starting Point – 05/14/13 (@ 7:33 a.m. ET)

“CNN’s Stephanie Elam” Returns to A.M.

Rob Marciano: I heard a familiar voice this morning…@Stephanie Elam nice work!” Friday, whilom CNN biz beauty Stephanie Elam returned anew as a CNN correspondent on early morning news programs Early Start and Starting Point much to the delight of her former CNN colleague and Entertainment Tonight co-host Rob Marciano and, assuredly, a myriad of her erstwhile American Morning fans.

For Early Start viewers, Stephanie came back as a friendly, familiar face invigorating the engaging new duo of  Zoraida Sambolin and John Berman: For the Starting Point audience who had not yet abandoned ship a la their star-crossed captain Soledad O’Brien, poor Stephanie was just another warm body trying to keep that sinking ship afloat until a New Day finally dawns.

Welcome back, Stephanie!

[Author's aside: "CNN's Stephanie Elam" refers to the repeated moniker given Stephanie by Zoraida and John when introducing Stephanie before her Camarillo, California, wildfire reports to their CNN early morning audience.]

“Miss” Early Start: Zoraida Sambolin Engaged

“On Christmas Eve.” Single gal Early Start co-host Zoraida Sambolin started off her new year with a Facebook relationship status update for her fans on January 2. Including a pic, she proudly proclaimed, “Yes, it is a ring on my finger. Kenny [Williams] and I were engaged on Christmas Eve.”

Later that day, CBS Chicago reported Sambolin’s announcement and elaborated that her fiance was Kenny Williams, the new EVP of the Chicago White Sox. Nine days later (January 11), Chicago Sun-Times columnist Michael Sneed reported Kenny’s account of the engagement–albeit buried under his main story (emblazoned “Exclusive: Sheriff to search Chicago apartment complex where John Wayne Gacy’s mother lived”). Subsequently, when one observant reader and Zoraida Tweep noticed the news and apprised Zoraida thereof, Zoraida Tweeted, “Thank you, the article was a surprise to me as well. Kenny sent a link this morning, he is a gem.”

Apparently, “that loving feeling” is mutual. Sneed reported that Williams gushed that he was “about as happy as I’ve ever been as an adult.” According to Sneed, Williams intoned, “Yes, we just got engaged and I am in a really good place.” Reportedly, Williams was so enamored with Zoraida that he asked her for her hand in marriage–twice: apparently, once prematurely in his office because he just “couldn’t wait” and later at the “much more romantic forum” of the Holy Name Cathedral [Chicago] at midnight Mass where Zoraida’s parent were wed.

Congratulations, Zoraida and Kenny!

[Author's aside: Mea culpa, Zoraida fans, for the delay: Holidays and hunting guests had distracted these eyes.]

CNN’s Rob Marciano Moves On, Too (to ET)

“[S]ad…but very pumped.” Today, CNN meteorologist Rob Marciano announced that he is leaving Ted Turner’s erstwhile crown jewel for greener pastures. In a Facebook post this afternoon, he said, “Definitely sad to be leaving my CNN family in January, but very pumped for the new gig co-hosting Entertainment Tonight with @NancyOdell. Wow!”

The former ivory Adonis of American Morning follows his fellow colleagues, ebony twin T. J. Holmes (BET), “voice of god” John Roberts (FNC), and AM Aphrodite Kiran Chetry (TBA) into the CNN sunset. For whilom AM fans, who still appreciate a fresh, irreverent perspective, Rob seems to be the last one waving the proverbial flag on the new CNN morning shows, Early Start and Starting Point. And, now he, too, is heading for the exit.

A sad day for Rob. And, his CNN fans. Not to mention, poor Zoraida Sambolin who is losing her “Senor Dreamy.”

“VMan” Marciano’s Magic Platform

John: Rob “is a lot shorter in person.” Early Start co-host John Berman let the cat out of the bag as to the height of his co-anchor Zoraida Sambolin‘s “Senor Dreamy.” In a pre-dawn Tweet about ES‘s meteorologist Rob “VMan” Marciano, John wrote, “Ready for @EarlyStartCNN fast-facts? #1) @RobMarcianoCNN is a lot shorter in person.” Shortly thereafter, Rob admitted, “True, I’m 5’4″ #tvmagic.”

However, less than ten minutes later, on Early Start itself, Rob was slightly less candid about his stature. When his final forecast of the first hour ended (including city temp highs), Rob segued to John and Zoraida, remarking, “Speaking of numbers, Josh [sic], John Berman, quoting that I am much shorter in person than I am on television.”

Looking over at John with her mouth agape, Zoraida exclaimed, “That is awful!” Smiling, John impishly explained, “Well you [Rob], you look taller in the U.S. in camera. You know?” Pointing downward, Rob replied, “Well, full disclosure: I stand on this platform every day.”

“How tall are you?” demanded Zoraida. Reluctantly, Rob answered, “Uh, I’m 5′, well, I was born 21 inches. So, I haven’t grown that much.” As Zoraida chuckled, Rob exclaimed, “The magic of television!”

Trying to make up to Rob for his Puckish revelation, John declared, “You’re a giant in our eyes, Rob! Very, very nice to see you.” Taking it all in stride, Rob good-naturedly replied, “I appreciate that, John. Bye, guys!” Perhaps, still under the spell of her Senor Dreamy, Zoraida concluded, “He’s a tall guy!”

TV Magic: CNN mornings could use more of it.

Early Start - 10/16/12 (@ 5:50 a.m. ET)

Smoldering Sambolin: “That’s So Wrong!”

Berman: If that’s why you’re Googling [Paul Ryan] shirtless, that’s, that’s your own business. Early Start co-host Zoraida Sambolin, the caliente CNN senorita too oft with the dress just a little too long and the heels just a little too short, let her fans know today that she is assuredly smoldering–even on the job. And, her co-anchor John Berman gave her good-natured grief for it.

During a post-V.P.-Debate segment, Zoraida and John interviewed Google Election Team member Abbi Tatton for trending Internet search terms as Vice President Joe Biden and GOP V.P. nominee Paul Ryan battled.* After Tatton indicated that “Biden,” “conflating,” “malarkey,” and “who is winning the debate” topped the list, John asked her also for what Google users searched in conjunction with the candidates names. In response, she noted that they looked for Biden’s age, his “laughing,” and his wife Jill whereas they were searching for something quite different with Ryan, e.g., “shirtless” and “workout.”

Meanwhile, a seemingly embarrassed Zoraida began to chuckle. Looking over at Zoraida, John teased, “This is during the debate people are saying, ‘Paul Ryan shirtless’?” In reply, Tatton disdainfully declared, “While they’re talking about Afghanistan, Iran, the ayatollahs, then people are searching for what does he look like without his shirt on.”

Defensively, Zoraida riposted, “Well, because it’s such a big deal that everybody’s talking about it. I gotta tell you [that] I must admit that I also Googled it.” Grinning, a reddening Zoraida added, “This was early on, though.”

Subsequently, in the following EP block, a smiling Zoraida introduced the very next story, saying, “Morning after the Vice Presidential debate and there’s a lot of talk about Paul Ryan pumping iron. It’s our late night laughs.”** After airing clips of late-night comics Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel mocking Ryan’s Time Magainze iron man poses with weights, Zoraida turned to a smirking John: Sheepishly, Zoraida insisted, “Alright, the intense fascination is because he works out to P90X which is really an intense workout.”

Shaking his head incredulously, John jested, “You know, you don’t have to explain yourself to me. If that’s why you’re Googling him shirtless, that’s, that’s your own business!”

Blushing, Zoraida retorted, “I did it for my job!” Chuckling, she playfully slapped John on the arm. After their shot had ended, an off-cam Zoraida exclaimed, “That’s so wrong!”

So wrong. Or, so right for a blossoming chemistry between Zoraida and John.

*Early Start – 10/12/12 (@ 5:54 a.m. ET)

**Ibid at @ 5:59 a.m. ET.

Rob Marciano: Playboy No More?

At least, he no longer subscribes. Early Start co-host Zoraida Sambolin got somewhat fresh with her “Senor Dreamy,” meteorologist Rob Marciano, in the early morn last Thursday. After a first-hour headline news segment, including a story about Playboy‘s Top Party Schools “based on sex, sports, and nightlife,”  Zoraida racily segued to her self-professed “Senor Dreamy,” chuckling, “Hey, Rob, guys always say that they read Playboy. Did you know about this list?”*

Rather chagrinned, Rob stammered, “I no longer, well, subscribe but, yeah, I, I’ve heard, heard about this list.” [Italics added for emphasis.] Grinning at his artful dodge, Zoraida remarked, “Good answer.” With a goatish glint in his eye, Rob bawdily added, “And, I’m surprised that Cornell [Rob's alma mater] is not on there, quite frankly.”

Arching her eyes with a coy smile, a reddening Zoraida responded, “Oh, ho, ho!” Slamming her pen to the desk in mock disdain first, she then tried vainly to hide her blushing face from him with her left hand briefly. Then, coquettishly, she pulled her hair back as their shot together ended.

“Senor Dreamy,” playboy no more? Fear not, Zoraida. CNN’s now-married “VMan Steamy” may no longer be on the prowl but he is captured forever as the “Man for All Seasons” here.

Early Start – 09/27/12 (@ 5:52 a.m. ET)

Carol Costello: I’m Just Whining on a “Friend”

CNN Newsroom anchor: “Strange ‘leg crossings’ on Fox’s early, early news.” No wonder FNC’s Fox & Friends First continues to bury its CNN counterpart Early Start in the ratings: Even CNN morning host Carol Costello is tuning in for Fox News’ early morning gamfest.

Today, Mediaite.com author Andrew Kirell reported a very candid Carol Facebook post this morning. To whit, Carol comically declared, “Good morning! Each morning we are amazed at the excellent posture and strange ‘leg crossings’ on Fox’s early, early news. I have tried to get my legs to do that…but, it hurts. What can I say, it’s a slow Monday!”*

Slow or no(t), Carol’s comment  was illuminating. She clearly has her eyes on the early morning juggernaut that is demolishing CNN’s Early Start by more than 2 to 1 in the demo and 3 to 1 in total viewers. And, she herself has tried to emulate the Fox News foxes–without success.

At least, Carol has tried. Perhaps, Early Start co-host Zoraida Sambolin will follow suit. CNN desperately needs a sexy new start to boost its early morning ratings, especially, now that its erstwhile AM “ray of light” Kiran Chetry no longer ushers in the dawn.

[Author's aside: Title, supra, play on the Rolling Stones' "Waiting on a Friend."]

*The Fox & Friends First co-hosts Monday were Patti Ann Browne and Heather Childers.

Racy Romans: Nude Prince Harry “Plays Hard”

“‘Wow! He gets all the fun.’” Starting her Early Start morning with a royal blush, guest co-host Christine Romans giggled with glee as she ogled England bad-lad Prince Harry’s bod in one of his nude rude Sin City pics. As ES began, co-anchor John Berman teased the salacious story of Harry’s private Las Vegas strip billards game and producers aired an accompanying pic of bare Harry hiding his privates with an unclad female friend secreting herself behind him. Blushing, Christine tittered, “Well, good morning! Wake up! Welcome to Early Start!”

Ten minutes later, Christine read the headlines story that Prince Harry’s naked photos had been authenticated by Clarence House, (Prince’s Harry official press office): As she did, ES ran the pic of Harry and his gal pal both au naturel for almost 30 seconds. When Christine had finished, John jested, “It must be a great morning in Buckingham Palace today.” Sounding almost envious of the regal roue rather than sympathetic to his chagrined royal family, Christine chuckled, “Do you think his brother’s like ‘Wow! He gets all the fun’”?

As a dubious John laughed, Christine eagerly explicated, “He’s in the military, right?…He’s going back to work.” Then, with a sly, suggestive smile, she racily concluded, “And he plays hard in between.”

CNN today: Christine’s Naughty Network. “Wake up!” With a smile.

Early Start’s Banfield Says Goodbye

But, Berman says hello. On Friday the 13th aptly, Early Start co-anchor Ashleigh Banfield bid adieu to her ratings-challenged early morning show where she has had a short hapless seven-and-half-month stint. When the penultimate segment of that program concluded, Ashleigh dutifully disclosed, “[I]t’s my last day on the show today.” Sympathetically, her guest co-host Alina Cho turned to her, saying, “I know. I didn’t realize that….Sleep in, girlfriend!”

Subsequently, when ES returned from commercial break, Ashleigh, Alina, and their CNN colleague Christine Romans sat together on the set. Bemoaning Ashleigh’s departure like Alina, Christine emotively remarked, “It’s her last morning waking up with us.” Appearing more than ready to move on, in more ways than one, Ashleigh quite quickly and somewhat impassively answered, “I know. I’m very sad to be leaving you but very excited about doing 11 a.m. on, on CNN.”

Assuredly, Ashleigh must feel that her luck may have changed as she gets a second shot at success at CNN from Ken Jautz when he transfers her from EP to AN, hopefully, a more viable vehicle for her personality. As the hyper, chatty Cannuck replaces CNN Newsroom anchor Kyra Phillips, new CNN hire John Berman (whilom ABC veteran journalist) will try his hand at bringing life to the moribund show when he joins co-anchor Zoraida Sambolin Monday. And, John appears more than ready to roll: in fact, he got a head start on Ashleigh’s announcement Friday by creating a quirky introductory video of himself re his facial hair fascination that was posted for ES blog readers before the show.

See you later, Ashleigh. Good luck, John!

[Author's aside: Interestingly, as Ashleigh did her farewell tour this last week, Zoraida vacationed in Eygpt. Notably, according to Page Six , one of its sources said that the two just did not gel. Perhaps, a compassionate Jautz felt that it was the best way to let Ashleigh save face as she left the struggling show while her co-host Zoraida remained.]

Ali: “Miss You” Still, Kiran

Velshi (August 2011): “Miss @KiranChetryTV every morning.”  Today, CNN anchor Ali Velshi almost echoed those very words that he had shared with his former American Morning co-anchor Kiran Chetry‘s hubby Chris Knowles after Kiran left the show almost a year ago. And, in his sweet missive to Kiran, he said what many CNN morning viewers assuredly have been thinking lately, i.e., “Miss you.”

Earlier, Aly had received a Tweet from a former AM viewer yesterday, fondly reminiscing, “Those were the days I used to watch @cnn in the morning cc/ @AliVelshi @kiranchetrytv pic.twitter.com/6wkzOPSx. Somewhat awkwardly, Ali answered, “Ahh, memories of my old friend!” Not surprisingly, a “piqued” Kiran playfully interjected, “@AliVelshi hey who are you calling old mr??” Aptly apologetic, Ali responded, “Long time! I meant my ‘long time’ friend!’ Miss you.”

Indeed. If the paltry ratings of Early Start and Starting Point are any indication, so do many more of Kiran’s American Morning fans. Without doubt, TV cable news needs its “ray of light” again.

Ashleigh Out: Zoraida (& John) In

Early Start: a new start–a more mellifluous one? ES co-host Ashleigh Banfield, the early morning cacophonous Cannuck, will soon no longer awaken CNN viewers with her virtual fingernail-on-the-chalkboard reveille: rather, she will greet them long after they have left Morpheus’ embrace.

Today, CNN EVP Ken Jautz announced that Ashleigh will anchor her own CNN hour at 11:00 a.m. ET later this summer. She will replace CNN Newsroom host Kyra Phillips, who is moving to HLN to “lead a new daytime program.” In her stead will be new CNN hire John Berman, a former ABC News reporter and Good Morning America contributor.

Almost in tandem with Jautz, Early Start senior producer Christina Ginn subsequently subtly heralded the news. She Tweeted, “Caught @JohnSBerman and @ZoraidaCNN in the @EarlyStartCNN newsroom today: pic.twitter./7TOlhdiU.” In Christina’s included pic, a beaming Zoraida Sambolin embraces a sheepish John, her new ES partner-to-be.”

Early Start: less Red Bull and more cafe au lait.

CNN A.M. Future: Miles O’Brien? [Updated Anew]

Zoraida: Miles…in these parts, you are a rock star! Yesterday, Early Start co-host Zoraida Sambolin greeted former American Morning anchor Miles O’Brien to the CNN a.m. like a returning hero. During a space segment with the whilom point man for NASA coverage, Zoraida reintroduced the once canned anchor of the low-rated American Morning to CNN’s early morning shrinking audience. Before his report (on the return to earth of the NASA-sponsored Space X Dragon), Zoraida gushed, “Miles, I got to tell you, in these parts, you are a rock star! Everybody absolutely loves you! Very excited to talk to you this morning.”*

The moment seemed surreal: Miles O’Brien, a “rock star”? Almost five years ago, he and his American Morning co-host Soledad O’Brien unceremoniously got the Klein boot because of low-ratings (in favor of John Roberts and Kiran Chetry). When John and Kiran could not right the AM ship nor their interim successors Christine Romans, Carol Costello, and Ali Velshi, CNN replaced AM with their even more ratings-challenged shows Early Start (with anchors Ashleigh Banfield and Zoraida) and Starting Point (solo host Soledad): With ES and SP listing even lower than AM ever had, perhaps, Miles O’Brien “in these parts, is a rock star” and everybody does love him again.

So much so, that CNN brings Miles back to its early mornings?

*Early Start – 05/31/12 (@ 6:04 a.m. ET)

Update 1: Turner Broadcasting CEO Phil Kent may have much more drastic measures planned for CNN’s a.m. than possibly adding Miles to the cast. After defending his prime-time line-up on the very day of Miles ES appearance, Kent admitted that “we have some other shows that probably need to be replaced.” If recent ratings are any indication, Early Start and Starting Point may well be among those very CNN shows.]

Update 2: According to the New York Daily News, veteran ABC reporter John Berman has now enlisted with CNN and will become an Early Start anchor. If Berman were to join the gals Ashleigh and Zoraida, he would add some much needed male perspective: But, if he teamed up with Miles instead (and the ladies exited), ES would become an all-boy’s club, perhaps, no more attractive than the current all-gal gala. Perhaps, on the bright side, Berman may simply serve as the last captain of CNN’s wee-hour Titanic and Kent will finally get a seaworthy ship.]

Kiran: A Face for Radio?

Not exactly! Nepalese lovely Kiran Chetry “appeared” anew on Mother’s Day Eve: unfortunately, for her acolytes, she decided to”reveal” herself this time–not on the boob tube again but on the radio, on the John Batchelor Show (WABC). Not that her dulcet sounds, wit, and wisdom on audio were unappreciated but they did made her fans long for the premium package, including, obviously, any concomitant video of Kiran in the flesh. Perhaps, to make amends, Kiran did Tweet a lovely photo of herself on the set with Batchelor.

Regardless, the latest avatar of Kiran caused the author to wonder when is this beauty really going to return to her natural home, cable news morning television. Regrettably, she (or her William Morris “super-agent John Ferriter”) may have burned the bridge to the place that most complemented her smart, sassy, and sexy style, i.e., Fox & Friends, where her erstwhile rival Gretchen Carlson strangely rules the early morning roost. Nevertheless, hopefully, CNN chief Ken Jautz will return Kiran to her CNN “A.M.” throne when he decides to pull the plug on his disastrous new morning programs, Early Start and Starting Point.

Kiran: “Ray of light.” Just what CNN needs to rouse it viewers again in the early morn. But, Ken, let her fully shine this time!

Rob Marciano: I’ve Got Butt Implants

“Can, can you tell?” On Hump Day, the boys were back in town in the CNN “A.M.” Yesterday, Early Start guest co-host Ali Velshi and meteorologist Rob Marciano brought in some much needed testosterone, albeit a low dose, to the usually “all girl” show. With co-anchor Ashleigh Banfield gone for the week, Ali sat in her place, perhaps, to test run a change in the dynamic of CNN’s moribund morning program.

In the second hour of Early Start Wednesday, news reader Christine Romans reported the story of a young man who had implanted magnets into his wrist to secure his iPod.* Segueing to Ali, Christine suggestively remarked, “Ali, what do you have implanted and where?” As ES co-host Zoraida Sambolin interjected, “Oh, my!,” Ali nonchalantly revealed, “I have a chip: I have one of those things like you put in a dog….I did it for a story. I’m a real company man.”

After an incredulous Zoraida felt the random canine chip in his right forearm, Ali segued to Rob, remarking, “Rob, no need to comment on my bodily [sic], you know, implants.” As Zoraida chuckled, Rob teased, “The company allowed you to do that story so that they can track you kinda like a dog that gets away.” Subsequently, he jauntily joked, “I’ve got butt implants”: Turning to offer the camera and his viewers a profile perspective, he laughed, “Can, can you tell?”

Happily not, Rob. But Early Start does need some “boy” implants. Or, at least, a few more testosterone shots.

*Early Start – 05/16/12 (@ 6:13 a.m. ET)

CNN’s Early Start: American Morning Again?

Alina Cho MT: WEIWEI”@AliVelshi…good AM.” Freudian slip? As Early Start began this morning guest co-host, a “wired” Ali Velshi, Tweeted, “Nice to be back w/ my buddy, colleague & former office mate @AlinaChoCNN. Between her @ZoraidaCNN & @ChristineRomans, it’s a good morning.” In reply, Alina exclaimed, “WEIWEI” and MT’d Ali’s Tweet with the not so subtle change of “good morning” to “good AM.” Whether she was answering enthusiastically in French phonetically, or, less plausibly, simply could not contain herself, literally, her message was crystal clear: Alina was quite excited to be back again with her former American Morning colleagues, AM co-hosts Ali and Christine Romans.

As well, Alina–not to mention, CNN suits–should have been. Early Start was a marked improvement over its short and dismal past: E.g., Co-host Zoraida Sambolin simply came alive today and asserted herself charismatically with uncharacteristic aplomb. Perhaps, it was simply because the rather reserved Zoraida was no longer tethered to her regular co-host Ashleigh Banfield, who, according to Inside Cable News, lacks the requisite chemistry with Zoraida as a ”hyper and over-caffeinated [anchor who leaves] no pause unmolested” in contradistinction to the more reserved Zoraida. Furthermore, it was a delight to see the facile, informed exchanges between Ali and Christine in clear contrast to the usual sycophancy of Ashleigh toward her “Mayor of the Morning” Christine.

Yes, American Morning under Ali and Christine and their erstwhile interim co-anchor Carol Costello was assuredly a morning CNN cellar dweller: But, at least, it was watchable (even eminently so, at least, until AM’s last permanent co-host, comely Kiran Chetry, bid her fans a final namaskaar). And, that is more than one can readily say about Early Start as it fatefully charters new ratings depths (even lower than AM ever descended in its ten-year history).

“Early Start”: American Morning again? CNN viewers can only hope.

Recently “Ringless” Romans: Randy?

Ashleigh Banfield: You’re both blushing! Recently “ringless” Early Start guest co-host Christine Romans appeared rather randy Monday as she discussed the latest FDA-approved erectile dysfunction drug Stendra. Almost like a silly school girl, Christine reddened and appeared rather giddy as she talked to CNN senior medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen about men’s erections and their willingness to get them at almost any expense. Her similarly “ringless” co-host Ashleigh Banfield noticed and gave her grief.

The health segment with Elizabeth began sensibly enough as Christine introduced the most recent drug Stendra and asked, “Why take this one, Elizabeth?”* Before explaining, Elizabeth joked, “Right, you might want to ask the question, ‘Does the world really needed four drugs for this?’” In response, Christine’s somber visage changed as she blushed, giggled, and suggestively cocked her head.

In answer to Christine’s query, Elizabeth explained that the new drug worked for some men within fifteen minutes as opposed to significantly longer times for other ED drugs. Subsequently, she elaborated that the side effects of Stendra were generally rather mild but that one rare but “bizarre” side effect was the temporary loss of vision. Then, she concluded, “But, doctors we talked to said, ‘That doesn’t really scare men away. They don’t really care: they want the drug, they want the erection, and they don’t really care if they temporarily lose their vision.’” Flushed and beaming, Christine repeated rubbed the erogenous zone beneath her left earlobe and jested, “Huh, a trade-off that is somehow not surprising!”

Subsequently, concluding the interview, Christine thanked Elizabeth and tossed to her co-host Ashleigh Banfield. Grinning like a Cheshire cat, Ashleigh exclaimed, “You’re both blushing! Go figure,” and then cackled wickedly. Off-camera, a seemingly chagrined Christine chuckled, “Uh, yes we are.”

“Recently Ringless” Romans randy? At least, an “early start.”

*Early Start – 04/30/12 (@ 6:42 a.m. ET)

Romans’ “No Ring” Circus

Trampoline Bear abused anew? Friday Early Start guest co-host Christine Romans reached back into her ignoble American Morning past when she once again reveled in the seeming sadism of Shepard Smith’s “Trampoline Bear” video. As she concluded ES with one final headline news story, Christine cheerfully noted, “Check out this awesome photo taken after police hit a bear in a tree with a tranquilizer dart….Campus police say he landed safely…on some mats [that] they pulled from the rec center.” After showing a pic of the bear suspended in midair above a mattress, Christine gleefully exclaimed, “Reminds us of this classic from Missoula, Montana, back in 2003: It’s the bear [that] fell out of the tree after getting another tranquilizer dart..”

Taking their cue, ES producers ran a snippet of the infamous video of the Trampoline Bear, a Missoula black bear falling onto a trampoline under a tree, being propelled high into the air, barreling headfirst into the unyielding ground, and then crumpling under its own weight. In response, Ashleigh chortled and then “sympathetically” said, “Oooh!” As producers ran the odious footage again in a loop, Christine quickly asserted, “Now come on! That looks like a hard fall! We promise he was fine, he was fine!”

Unconvinced, her ES co-anchor Ashleigh Banfield declared, “It does look like a hard fall. It does look like a hard fall!” Icily, Christine cooed, “They are so relaxed! They are so relaxed.” Ashleigh jested, “Wouldn’t you be with a tranquilizer dart? Uh, yie, yie!”

Belying her earlier assurances with a certain Schadenfreude, Christine deadpanned, “Oh, the headache later, you wouldn’t believe it!”

No worries, Early Start viewers, Trampoline Bear “was fine: He was fine!” At least, so promises CNN’s Christine Romans. Again.

[Author's aside: The "'no ring' circus" reference in the title was a playful allusion to married ES co-hosts Christine and Ashleigh's noticeably bare ring fingers Friday.]

T. J. Holmes: We’re Negotiating My [CNN] Return

It’s American Morning at CNN again? This morning, former CNN anchor T. J. Holmes indicated that he is leaving BET after a very brief “stint” there and going back to his home at the self-proclaimed “most trusted name in news” network. He Tweeted, “On a flight w/my old CNN boss. We’re negotiating my return.” Later, he wrote, “I expect to announce to you all this week some news about my future.”

Less than four months after bidding his CNN Newsroom weekend viewers adieu (to be a BET “multi-platform” jounalist), is T. J. back to save day for CNN–or, at least, the dawn? CNN honcho Ken Jautz must now be ruing his ill-considered decision to ditch his cellar-dweller morning show American Morning. As the ratings of his 2012 AM replacement shows, Early Start and Starting Point, have tanked (lowest in over a decade), Jautz may be thinking that he probably should have given his original plan more time, i.e., to possibly permanently pair T. J. with former AM anchor Kiran Chetry.

Whether it is “Morning in America,” may depend on one’s political point of view. But the return of the erstwhile trial T. J. and Kiran team would certainly help make it a brighter “American Morning” at CNN. And, AM  fans, T. J.’s return would certainly constitute Kiran’s long-awaited “very special opportunity.”

Update: Apparently, BET’s T. J. Holmes was pulling a practical joke on his CNN fans and Twitter followers. Cf. CarpeDiem’s “BET’s T. J. Holmes: Just a Joke?”